Grinding mill support base



May 22, 1956 A. J. ROUBAL GRINDING MILL SUPPORT BASE Filed March 50, 1953 This inventionmelates generally to supporting means for rotary machinesand more specifically to rotary machine supporting" means which facilitate the mounting anrl'dismounting of themachine fromits support. The invention has particular applicability to rotary machines, such as rotary grinding mills and rotary kilns, which have a rotatable member driven through one ormore toothed gear trains.

In the mining industry, for example, it is present day practice to install a plurality of grinding mills and opcrate them as a group with as little down time for repairs as possible, down time beinggdefined as the time any particularmill isnot operating. Prior to applicants invention down time was kept to a minimum by pro-' viding spare mills to replace those which wereshut down. When operating inthis manner the mill which is shut down is removed from its bay by manhandling it away from its driving pinion to disengage the gears, lifting the mill from its foundation, and carrying the mill to .a repairbay. Aspare or replacement mill is then carried from'the repairbay to the mill bay, placed on the foundation of the original mill and manhandled into an operating position'in which thefteeth of the mill gear and itsdriving pinion aremeshed approximately in the relation desired. 1

The mills driven gear anddriving pinion final adjustment is critical since improper alignment of the gear and pinion can cause increased "wear and a reduction in life span of the mating parts ofthe gears. The adjust- Un SW8 Parent W I will facilitate easy and rapid mounting and dismount-j ingof the machine relative to its foundation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel supporting means for a rotary machine which will accurately and precisely position the driven gear of the machine in proper meshing relationship with its driving gear.

supporting means for a rotary machine which will pre-.

cisely space the main bearings of the machine to atfor'd; proper clearance between the bearings and themachine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel supporting means for a rotary machine, which willlatford means. I :Another object of theinvention is to provideanovel supporting means for a rotary machine which may be accurately and precisely moved from a predetermined supporting position to afiord complete disengagement off the drivengear of the machine from its driving gear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel supporting means for a rotary machine which eliminates the need for auxiliary equipmentother thana crane or comparable means in'mountingand dismounting the V machine relative to its foundation and its driving gear.

The following is a description ofapractical embodi'-' ment of the invention and the preferred mode of making, constructing and using the invention having the foregoing objects andadvantages, and other objects and advantages which will become apparent from a reading of the specifiment requires theuse of feeler gages betweenthe ends of the meshing gear teeth to insure that the teeth of the geara'n'd pinion are. in'proper alignment. Another adjustment is' needed to space" the main bearings of the machine properly, lengthwise so that the rotatable member of the machinehas proper clearance relative to the and is- 'again mounted in its mill bay.

cation and the accompanying drawings in which;

Fig. 1 is a view in end elevation of a rotary machine supporting means embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a rotary machine snpportingi rneans embodying the invention;

Pig. -3 is a' section taken along the line III-91H of" Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a partial section taken along the line of Fig. 3. 3

In Fig. 1 of the drawing,the invention is disclosed in" a supporting means 1 for a r'o'tary'machine 2, such'as a grinding mill, having a rotatable member?) and a driven gear, such as a ring gear 4, attached fixedly to the member 3. 'The' ring. gear 4 of the grinding millis meshed with a driving' gear or pinion 6 which when rotated causes the member 3 to rotate about ,its' axis of-rotation. The machine or grinding mill 2 shown in the drawings is illustrativeonly, as the invention could', be applied to any typeof rotary machine having a gear' that is driven bya pinion.

I The supporting means 1 for the machine 2 isshown in more detail in Figs. 2 and 3 and comprises a sill memher or sole plate 7 securely mounted on a foundation The present invention proposes to obviate the fore- .goingidisadvantagesby providing novel supporting means fora rotary machine which enables rapid and accurate mounting anddi smounting of the machine relative to its foundation. 7

;Th e invention proposes to provide ,a novel support means for a. gear driven rotary machine which is guidably movable within limitsin a manner affording a quick precision mounting or remonnting of the machine on its foundation. The invention contemplatesproviding novel means for mountingpthe' support means'of a machine in a predetermined'position on a foundation to eifect a preselected meshing engagement position of a driven gearof the machine withits driving pinion. a

1 It isithereforelan. object of the invention to provide a novel -suppor'tingimeans' for a rotary machinewhich 8 by' any suitable means, not shown. Slidably mounted V on the sole plate 7 for movement in a direction transverseto and at right angles to the axis of rotation of the machine 2' is a pedestal 9 suitably shaped to receive in rotatable relation thereto a journal of the rotatable member'3. The sole plate 7 forms a support for the pedestal 9. Mountedfon the sole plate 7 on either side of the pedestal '9 and spaced therefrom are-flange plates 10, 12 which extend in parallel in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotatable member 31 Welding or any other suitable means may be used to securely hold the flange plates 10, 12 against the sole plate 7," The flange plates 10, 12 each have horizontally disposed. tap holes '13 therein through which power transmitting means, such as jackscrews 14, extend in threaded engagement with the plates lit, 12 to move the pedestal 9 in either direc-* tion transversely of the axis of rotationof the rotatable member 3; The jack' screws 14 may be extendedand Another object of the invention is to provide a novel withdrawn relative to the plates 10, 12 and may be locked in any position by means of locking nuts 15.

Intermediate between flange plate 12 and the pedestal 9 at one side thereof. andextending parallel to the flange plate 12 is a positioning block. 16. having horizontallytiverto the sole plate.7- andin a direction at a right angle to the axis; of rotation ofv the member 3. Positioning block 16: may. bemoved in a direction transverse to the,

axis of rotation. of the machine 2 by means; of studs 21. which are screwed. into the block 16 and extend parallel to the sole plate 7 through suitable apertures in the flange plate 12. Nuts23 cooperate with the studs 21 on either side of the flange plate12 to lock the studs 21 in any predetermined position corresponding to a preselected position. of the positioning, block 16. The foregoing positioning block 16 affords means for limiting in one direction movement of the pedestal 9 transverse to the axis of rotation of member 3 to insure precise positioning of the pedestal 9 relative to the sole plate 7 when the pedestal 9 abuts the positioning block 16.

The position. of block 16 is determined when the machine 2 is first assembled. A feeler gage adjustment is used to ascertain the proper running engagement of the teeth 24 of the ring gear 4 with respect to the teeth 25 of the pinion 6. Once the gear, meshing engagement has been determined, the positioning block 16 is moved against the pedestal 9 and set in the position selected by means of locking cap screws 19 and locking nuts 23.

The foregoing sequence of events establishes a proper meshing relation betweenthe gears of the machine thus mounted, and establishes for all practical purposes a similar proper meshing relation between the pinion 6 and the driven gear of a replacement or substitute machine.

As shown in Fig. 4, the sole plate 7 carries a keyway 26 on the upper side thereof which extends entirely thereacross. in a direction at a right angle to the axis of rotationof the member 3 and in a direction which is preferably parallel to the jack screws 14 to minimize stress on the jack screws. Two. keys 28 are inserted in the outer end portions, of keyway 26. The pedestal 9 is provided with parallel side marginal base flanges 29 each having a keyway 30 formedv in the undersurface thereof which are brought into alignment with and receive the exposed POL-1:

tions of. the keys 28. The foregoing relationship of keys and keyway are obtained by carefully lowering the machine 2 onto the sole plate 7. The keys 28 andvkeyways 26, 30 provide guide means for correctly positioningthe pedestal 9 to afford proper running clearance between the rotatable member 3- and its bearing in the pedestal-9, and further provide means for limited guiding movement of the pedestal 9 in transverse relation to the axis of roscrews 34 through'the openings 32 into the holes where upon tighteningof the cap screws; 34 fixes the machine 2. in the desired. position. a

The-way in which the, parts: of the foregoing described supporting; means cooperate toiatford easy andrapid:

mopnting and dismounting of the machine 2. and the pedestal 9 from the foundation 8 will now be explained. Assuming the rotary machine 2 is correctly positioned on the sole plate 7, as shown in Fig. 1, and it is desired to replace the machine 2 with another machine, the method of replacement will be as follows.

First, the jack screws 14. in theflange block 10 on the side of the machine 2 opposite the positioning block 16 will be unlocked andretraeted a predetermined amount. The cap screws 34 holding the machine pedestal. 9 against movement relative to the. sole plate 7 will be removed to allow the machine to be slid along the keys 28 and sole plate 7. Next, the jackserews 14 in the flange plate 12 adjacent the positioning block 16 will be unlocked and advanced to move'pedestal 9 away from positioning block 16 toward the oppositely facing flange plate 10. The pedestal 9 is then moved a suflicient amount to disengage the-driven ring gear 4v from the pinion 6 whereupon machine 2- comprising. the rotatable member 3v and pedestal 9 is lifted vertically clear of the sole plate 7 without developing interference between the ring gear and piniona6, the machine being lifted by a crane or other suitable means and transferred to a repair bay.

A substitute machine 2 comprising a rotatable member 3 and a pedestal 9 may now be removed from the repair bay, placed on the sole plate 7 with the keyway 30 in the pedestal 9. receiving, keys 28 in keyway 26 of the sole plate 7. The jack screws 24 in the flange plate, 10 on the side of the. machine 2 opposite the positioning block 16 are the advanced to. move the pedestal 9 of the replacement machine in the direction of the positioning block 16. When the pedestal 9 abuts the positioning block 16 the ring gear 4 is in correct meshing'engagement with the pinion 6 and the bearings in the pedestal 9are properly adjusted for running clearance relative to the journal of the rotatable member 3. The jack screws 14 are then locked in position abutting the pedestal 9 and the pedestal 9 is bolted securely to the sole plate 7. It is to be noted that the same procedure would be followed if the machine which had been removed for repair was again being installed on the sole plate from which it was originally removed.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the jack screws 14 in the flange plates 10, 12 afford a power transmitting means for selectively effecting a limited movement of the pedestal 9v along the keys 28 toward and away from positioning block 16. It isalso apparent that the keys 28 and keyways-26, 30 form guide means along which the pedestal 9 may be moved; The cap screws 34. provide means for releasably fixing the pedestal 9 on the plate 7.,

The keyways 26, 30, keys 28 and positioning block 16, together with the jack screws 14 aiford a precision means for correctly positioning the machine 2 onthe sole plate 7 so as to aifordat alltimes a correct meshing engagement of the ringgear 4 andpinion 6 and a proper running clearance of the rotatable member 3 relative to its bearing.

Although the invention-is applied to a rotary machine 2 that isbodily removable fromthe supporting means 1, it is obvious that the invention is also applicable to the situation where the bearing cap is removed from the pedestal 9 and only the rotatable member 3 is removed, allowing the pedestal 9 to remain on the supporting means 1.

It. is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to theiexact details of construction, combination, and/or operation herein set :forthfor purposes of-illustration as various modifications'falling withinthe scope of the appended claims mayoccur to personsskilled inthe art. a"

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

v1. In combination including a foundation having a driving gear operably fixed thereon and including a rotary machine having a' driven gear and having a pedestal mounting one end of saidimachine on 'said foundation for movement into aposition meshing said driven gear with said driving gear, the improvement comprising: a base portion of said pedestal having fixed guide means thereon extending at a right angle to the axis of rotation of said driven gear; a support on said foundation for said pedestal, said support having a tapped hole therein and having means thereon complementary to and cooperatively engaged with said fixed guide means to afford limited sliding movement of said pedestal in a direction at a right angle to said axis; a positioning block mounted on said support, said block having an elongated opening of which different portions are adapted to register with said tapped hole in said support and having a cap screw disposed in adjustable portions of said opening operably insertable in said tapped hole to secure said block to said support in adjustable positions including a position ina predetermined relation to said driving gear; power transmitting mounting. one end of said machineon said foundation for movement into a position meshing said driven gear with said driving gear, the improvement comprising: a base portion of said pedestal having fixed guide means thereon extending at a right angle to the axis of rotation of said driven gear; a support on said foundation for said pedestal, said support having a tapped hole therein and having means thereon complementary to and cooperatively engaged with said fixed guide means to aiford limited sliding movement of said pedestal in a direction at a right angle to said axis; a positioning block mounted on said support at right angles thereto and having a horizontally elongated first opening extending vertically therethrough and a second opening extending horizontally therethrough .in generally parallel relation to said direction, said block being mounted on said support with said first opening disposed in vertical register with said tapped hole; a cap screw operably inserted through said first opening and into said tapped hole for releasably fixing said block to said support; a stud having one end fixedly secured to said block and the opposite end adjustably reacting against said support'for effecting movement of said block in said direction; a power transmitting means comprising a jack screw'reacting against said support and passing freely through said second opening for engagement with the ad jacent side of said pedestal, said power transmitting means being operable to effect a limited movement of said pedestal along said guide means toward and away from said block sufiiciently to etfect engagement and disengagement of said driven and said driving gears.

3. In combination including a foundation having a driving gear operably fixed thereon and including a rotary machine having a driven gear and having a pedestal mounting one end of said machine on said foundation for movement into a position meshing said driven gear with a driving gear, the improvement comprising: a base portion of said pedestal having horizontally elongated slots and having fixed guide means thereon comprising a keyway extending at a right angle to the axis of rotation of said driven gear; a support on said foundation for said pedestal, said support having a tapped hole therein and having means thereon comprising a key and keyway complementary to and cooperatively engaged with said fixed guide means to afford limited sliding movement of said pedestal in a direction at a right angle to said axis; a flange plate securely mounted on said support at right angles thereto on each side of said pedestal in spaced and parallel relation thereto and having first and second horizontally disposed passages therethrough facing said pedestal, a positioning block mounted on said support at right angles thereto in interposed relation between said pedestal and one of said plates and having a horizontally elongated first opening extending vertically therethrough and a second opening extending horizontally therethrough in generally parallel relation to said direction, said block being mounted on said support with said first opening disposed in vertical register with said tapped hole; a cap screw operably inserted through said first opening and into said tapped hole for releasably fixing said block to said support; a stud operably inserted in said first passage and adjustably reacting against one of said flanges for effecting movement of said block in said direction; a power transmitting means comprising a jack screw operably inserted in said second passage and passing freely through said second opening for engagement with the adjacent side of said pedestal, said screw reacting against said plate to etfect movement of said pedestal along said guide means toward and away from said block sufiiciently to effect engagement and disengagement of said driven and said driving gears.

mounting one end of said machine on said foundation for movement into a position meshing said driven gear with said driving gear, the improvement comprising: a base portion member of said pedestal; a support member on said foundation for said pedestal; a guide means comprising a keyway carried by one of said members, said keyway extending at a right angle to the axis of rotation of said driven gear; means comprising a key mounted on the other of said members, said key being complementary to and cooperatively engaged with said keyway of said guide means to afiford limited movement of said pedestal in a direction at a right angle to said axis; a positioning block selectively fixable on said support member in a position to beengaged by said pedestal when said driven gear is correctly meshed with said driving gear; power transmitting means carried by said support member and operatively associated with said pedestal for selectively elfecting a limited movement thereof along said guide means toward and away from said block sufiiciently to effect engagement and disengagement of said driven and said driving gears; and means for releasably fixing said pedestal on said support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

